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Worked solution

Use the given derivative inside parts

(i) Find the derivative of ex2e^{x^2}. (ii) Hence find ∫x3ex2 dx\int x^3e^{x^2}\,dx.

CJC · Lecture · Example 18

(i)

ddxex2=2xex2\frac d{dx}e^{x^2}=2xe^{x^2}. Reversing this gives ∫2xex2 dx=ex2+C′\int2xe^{x^2}\,dx=e^{x^2}+C^{\prime}.

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(ii)

Rewrite ∫x3ex2 dx=12∫x2(2xex2) dx\int x^3e^{x^2}\,dx=\frac12\int x^2(2xe^{x^2})\,dx. Choose u=x2u=x^2, du/dx=2xdu/dx=2x, dv/dx=2xex2dv/dx=2xe^{x^2} and use (i) to take v=ex2v=e^{x^2}. Hence the result is 12[x2ex2−∫2xex2 dx]=12(x2ex2−ex2)+C\frac12[x^2e^{x^2}-\int2xe^{x^2}\,dx]=\frac12(x^2e^{x^2}-e^{x^2})+C.

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Common mistakes

Do not choose dv/dx=e to the x squared alone: its antiderivative is not supplied by the preceding derivative. Use the 2x factor.

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